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Nick Scappini, Jay Lee and Eric Winters of BabyShowerForGuys.com

The bachelor party has become an important rite of passage for guys, marking the transition from single to married life. Now, a Seattle startup is hoping to popularize a new tradition for the dudes. It’s called BabyShowerForGuys.com.

“Expectant fathers and their buddies deserve one last all-out getaway before welcoming a baby into the family, and we’re here to make sure those memories last a lifetime—or at least get you through the next 18 years,” the company writes on its Web site.

Visitors to the site, which launched today, can peruse thousands of vacation packages in L.A., Vegas, Puerto Rico and other destinations designed specifically with the expectant father in mind. But BabyShowerForGuys.com is more than an online travel site. It also includes some important articles for the expectant father, everything from how to deal with baby poop blow outs to managing a fantasy football team.

We chatted with co-founder and CEO Nick Scappini, a 32-year-old former national sales manager at Halosource, to get the inside scoop on a service that we wished had made its mark before our kids had arrived.

Explain what you do so our parents can understand it: “We are a network of travel sites providing niche vacation and adventure booking targeted at married men, fathers and the women in their lives. Our network also gives users a daily dose of sports, entertainment and advice content relevant to their place in life.”

Inspiration hit us when: “When my wife got pregnant with our first child it hit me that I had a whole new opportunity to get away for a much-needed “Mancation.” I got my friends together and addressed them as if I were Coach Harris in Revenge of the Nerds: “We are letting a golden opportunity slip right through our fingers!” I scolded them! And so began the first Baby Shower For Guys.

Plenty of couples take a babymoon when they are expecting their first child (and our network will eventually target that niche as well). But considering all of the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with becoming a new father, men really need a chance to let loose before they become slaves to the diaper bag. Six years ago marked my first Baby Shower For Guys, and I’ve helped coordinate one with my friends every year since. BabyShowerForGuys.com caters to men around the country looking for travel options targeted specifically at their place in life. They have no idea what they have been missing.”

VC, Angel or Bootstrap: “Bootstrap seeking angel investing. It is really important to us to stay true to the vision and not get caught up with too many investors having control over our company. At some point, we’ll bring on a few key investors that can bring the right experience and advising to our team. ”

Our ‘secret sauce’ is: “Niche content, niche travel and one-click booking all through our site. Nobody else is solving the customer loyalty problem in the online travel space. By specializing in smaller target demographics, giving them content that matters and making the entire process quick and easy, we can give users an experience they aren’t getting anywhere else. ”

The smartest move we’ve made so far: “Getting 100 different opinions.”

The biggest mistake we’ve made so far: “Not fully understanding the whole process around obtaining funding. It has been a learning experience that led us to the decision to launch as a bootstrapped company. ”

Would you rather have Gates, Jobs, Zuckerberg or Bezos in your corner: “I think we would take Zuckerberg. For the same reason we would take Elway over Unitas: he’s more of our era, plus he’s in our target demographic. ”

Our world domination strategy starts on: “November 7, 2011, when BabyShowerForGuys.com launches. Its success will pave the way for more of our innovations in the online travel industry including niche sites for women, couples, families and divorcees.”

Rivals should fear us because: “Our attitude is unmistakable and we just won’t give in. It’s time for something different in the online travel space, and we intend to shake it up. Plus Jay and Eric, my co-founders, are both yellow belts in karate, which should keep Expedia from trying to get in our face. ”

We are truly unique because: “We come from three very different backgrounds: sales, graphic design and software engineering, all bringing skills that are critical to building this business. Not to mention that founding a legitimate, competitive company inspired by a bunch of guys partying and golfing is pretty unique.”

The biggest hurdle we’ve overcome is: “Deciding to turn down a regular paycheck in order to make this thing a reality.”

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other entrepreneurs just starting out: “Your business plan and strategy are never finished, or done evolving. You must constantly better your best. Keep refining that idea, acquire expert feedback, keep building upon it, turn it. tweak it, pivot. Eventually you’ll see you have something that will be great.”

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Comments

Travis Seitler

As a 29-year-old father of four, this entire premise is appalling. “[M]en really need a chance to let loose before they become slaves to the diaper bag” — really? I have a hard time believing that any man who looks at his pregnant wife and thinks “I need to go on a trip with the guys” is going to be any different after the baby is born. I pity the wife and child[ren] of such a selfish, irresponsible man-child.

Helenlyn Morrison

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, I think you might be viewing the premise of this company through a humorless and overly judgmental lens. I am a 29 year old female whose family is expecting our first child soon. I found this concept to be a refreshing opportunity for new male fathers and their friends to spend time together. Instead of viewing the term “slaves to the diaper bag” as degrading to fatherhood, maybe you should look at it as the lighthearted and comical phrase it was meant to be.
Before marriage, most couples take part in bachelorette and bachelor parties, which are considered their “last hurrahs” before settling down to the “ol’ ball and chain,” as the saying goes. By no means do these celebratory gatherings suggest that the men and women participating think they will become slaves to lives with horrible partners, or are dreading their unions – instead, these parties were created as a chance to celebrate and bond with the same sex. As you probably know, between work, children, household and other daily priorities, it seems to become more and more difficult to get together with our loved ones. Often, the older we get, the only time we see friends and family is for special occasions and holidays. I think the idea behind “Baby Showers for Men” is wonderful. I hope that my husband, who is a hard working, responsible, loving partner and father, will take advantage of a chance to celebrate this exciting occasion and spend some quality time with his male friends and family. With all due respect, I think you need to lighten up.

“A sense of humor is needed armor. Joy in one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.” Hugh Sidey

Mark

Great response, Helenlyn. I could not have said it better myself. I think it sounds like a lot of fun.

And as a loving father and devoted husband myself, I truly pity the family of anyone who goes through life with such a cheerless demeanor. So I guess we all pity something.

Kriscsimmons

What a great idea. Wishing them huge success!

Katelyn Watson

What the hell? And I thought DINKlife was niche!

Jan Carruthers

This sounds like so much fun! I wish there was something like it here in Wales.